Pigs Facing Death
Translated from Indonesian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The Quran states that all living beings die by God's permission at a predetermined time.
- While birth is celebrated, death is met with sorrow, a natural human response.
- Muslims are reminded to have faith in God's decree and accept that life's possessions are temporary.
Life and death are divinely ordained, with every living soul destined to depart by God's permission at a set time, as stated in the Quranic verse Ali Imran 145. While births are occasions of joy, death is invariably accompanied by grief, a natural human emotion that can persist for extended periods.
Even the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) shed tears upon the passing of his beloved wife, Khadijah, and his uncle, Abu Talib, who had been a steadfast protector during challenging times. The teachings of Islam permit grieving, but emphasize moderation, cautioning against prolonged despair that can extinguish the spirit of life and lead to hopelessness.
Something that is alive will not die except with the permission of Allah as a decreed term.
Muslims are urged to maintain faith in God's divine plan (qada/qadar), recognizing that all worldly possessions are merely trusts from God, subject to His will for retrieval at any moment. This understanding is crucial for strengthening one's resolve and acceptance.
The Quran further emphasizes the inevitability of death in Surah An-Nisa, verse 78: "Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be in fortresses built strong and high." Death holds particular dread for those burdened by sins and who habitually postpone sincere repentance.
Wherever you may be, death will overtake you, even if you should be in fortresses built strong and high.
Originally published by Republika in Indonesian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.